Clamp and trolley system

FIELD

The present invention relates to clamping arrangements, trolleys and track systems. In particular, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present invention relate to trolleys and clamping arrangements which couple thereto for carrying power cables, air hoses and the like for systems, such as bridge cranes, and other plant that travels along wires or tracks. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to track systems, which are particularly useful for bridge crane applications, but are not limited thereto. The trolleys and track systems according to the present invention described herein can be used together, but do not need to be.

BACKGROUND

A wide range of industrial and commercial applications involve the lifting and transportation of loads from one location to another with lifting apparatus, such as powered gantry cranes, jib cranes, bridge cranes or overhead cranes. Such cranes typically comprise a hoist for lifting the load, which is accommodated within a trolley or on rollers. The trolley or rollers run along or within a jib, boom or bridge such that the load can be moved along the length of the jib, boom or bridge.

In the case of overhead or bridge cranes, a pair of spaced apart parallel guides or tracks are situated substantially perpendicular to the bridge and the bridge spans the gap between the parallel guides. The ends of the bridge are typically supported by rollers or trolleys such that the bridge can move along the length of the parallel guides. The parallel guides are typically supported by a floor mounted structure comprising one or more beams and/or columns or by a structure suspended from the roof or overhead structure of a building in which the crane is housed. Hence, loads can be moved anywhere within the reach of the bridge.

With such powered cranes a continuous energy supply needs to be provided to mobile elements of the crane, such as the hoist moving along the length of the bridge and the trolleys or rollers moving the bridge along the guides. The energy supply may be electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic and the appropriate cabling or tubing needs to be routed through the support structure and crane structure to power the mobile elements.

Conventionally, the cabling or tubing is routed through the support and/or crane structures using catenary systems comprising wires or tracks along which dedicated trolleys carrying the cable or tubing runs. One problem with known cable or tubing trolleys is that they use a combination of bolts and spacers to attach the cable or tubing to the trolley. Typically the bolts and/or spacers must be completely undone, detached from the trolley and re-coupled to the trolley to enable fitting, which is fiddly and time consuming, particularly when the bolts and/or spacers are dropped during fitting.

Another problem with conventional cable or tubing trolleys is that they are only suitable for one type of catenary system, namely a wire system, or a track system. Where the trolley is for use with a track system, it is usually for a particular shape of track, such as an I-beam track or a C shaped track. A trolley designed for one shape of track usually cannot be used with another shape of track or does not work as well and can lead to jamming.

A further problem encountered with at least some known cable or tubing trolleys is that they are only suitable for one type cable, tubing or hose. For example, trolleys suitable for routing electrical cable are typically unsuitable for carrying pneumatic hoses. Some trolleys are even more specific and are only suitable for attaching to a particular shape and gauge of electrical cable. However, cabling for such systems is provided in a wide range or shapes and sizes depending on the application.

It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide an improved system that addresses or at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided a clamp and trolley system for moveably attaching a power cable, hose or tube of a lifting apparatus to a guiding cable or track, the clamp comprising:

a first clamp component having a first engagement surface adapted to engage with the power cable, hose or tube; and

a second clamp component having a second engagement surface adapted to engage with the power cable, hose or tube, the second clamp component being pivotally attachable to the first clamp component and rigidly fastenable to it in a range of relative orientations;

wherein the first and second engagement surfaces are shaped so as to clamp the power cable, hose or tube between the first and second clamp components as the second clamp component is pivoted towards a more closed orientation.

In one embodiment, the clamp and trolley are mutually detachable, the clamp further comprising a trolley attachment component and the trolley comprising a clamp receiving component, enabling the clamp to be attachable to and removable from the trolley in situ. In one version, the trolley attachment component is integral with the first clamp component. In another version, the trolley attachment component is integral with the second clamp component.

In one embodiment, the first clamp component comprises a floor the surface of which provides the first engagement surface, and a pair of side walls, and an arm extending from one of the side walls; and the second clamp component comprises a foot pivotally attachable to the arm, the second engagement surface being provided by an underside of the foot. The surface of the floor and/or the underside of the foot may be convex. The surface of the floor and or the underside of the foot may comprise a channel for receiving the power cable or hose at least partially therein. Each side wall of the first clamp component may comprise a flange that bears against an upper surface of the foot. An upper surface of the foot may comprise a concave profile of complementary shape to an underside of the flanges. The second clamp component may be rotatably attached to the arm with a lockable fastener passing through an aperture in the foot and an aperture in the arm.

In some embodiments, the first and second engagement surfaces may be arranged so that a center of curvature of the second engagement surface is off-center with respect to its axis of pivotal rotation.

In some embodiments, a surface of the second clamp component may be engagable with a surface of the arm of the first clamp component in a plurality of relative positions to provide the fastening in the range of relative orientations referred to in the broad aspect of the invention. This may be achieved with a plurality of radial grooves extending from the aperture in one of the clamp components which engage with a plurality of corresponding radial ridges extending from the aperture in the other clamp component.

In some embodiments, the trolley attachment component comprises a bearing positioned so as to pivotally suspend the clamp from the trolley. The bearing maybe provided at one end of an elongated member of the first clamp component or the second clamp component, and may be substantially hemispherical to allow pivoting in two dimensions.

In some embodiments, the first clamp component comprises two hinged parts that open up to facilitate the reception of the power cable, hose or tube. Such embodiments may be particularly suited for receiving a vacuum hose.

In some embodiments, the second clamp component further comprises a removable snap on fitting to move the second engagement surface closer to the first engagement surface so as to adapt the system to clamp a smaller sized power cable, hose or tube when the snap on fitting is attached.

In one embodiment, the trolley is adapted to sliding on a slot-shaped track and is generally T-shaped such that arms of the T-shape slide on either side of a slot-shaped track and a trunk of the T-shaped projects downwards through the slot, and the arms are held in perpendicular relation to the slot by one or more removable locking pieces that lock into the trunk and extend upwards into the slot-shaped track, whereby when the locking pieces are removed the trolley may be rotated to a parallel orientation with respect to the slot of the track and removed from the track. There may be two of the locking pieces that are inserted into either side of an aperture on the trunk and lock together on the trunk by cooperating serrated projections.

In one embodiment, the trolley is adapted to rolling on a guiding cable and may be attached and removed from the cable by loosening and rotating a removable plate from a body of the trolley that houses a wheel for rolling on the cable, thereby creating a gap through which the cable can pass.

In one embodiment, the trolley is adapted to rolling along an I-beam and comprises:

a pair of threaded rods or axles mounted to a body containing the clamp receiving component, and

wheel arrangements threaded on each threaded rod or axle such that a distance between the wheel arrangements can be adjusted by moving them along the threats so as to accommodate different sized I-beams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a clamping arrangement and a trolley in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref> is a perspective view of a first clamp component of the clamping arrangement shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref> is a perspective view of another embodiment of the first clamp component;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view of a clamping foot for the clamping arrangement shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a side elevation of the clamping foot shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an end elevation of the clamping foot shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a perspective view of a body of the trolley shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a perspective view of a removable plate of the trolley shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is an end elevation of the trolley shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a perspective view of a trolley for an external track;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a perspective view of a trolley for an internal track;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is an underside view of the trolley shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12A</figref> is a perspective view of a first part of a clamping arrangement for a vacuum hose;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref> is a perspective view of a second part of the clamping arrangement for a vacuum hose;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13A and 13B</figref> show a variation on the embodiment of the clamp shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4</figref> with the trolley attachment component differently placed.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> shows a similar variation on the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> A.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> shows an attachment to adapt a clamp for cables, hoses or tubes of smaller cross section.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 16A and 16B</figref> show another embodiment realizing the invention with a different arrangement of first and second clamp components.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C</figref> show a trolley adapted to a sliding track in components and in use.

Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the current invention will now be described. In these embodiments, the construction is in plastic, typically injection molded using glass fiber reinforced plastic such as Pa66-gf25, but any other suitable material can be contemplated.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a system comprising a clamping arrangement <b>100</b> for clamping different sizes and shapes of power cables, hoses or tubing of lifting apparatus and a trolley <b>200</b> for running along cables according to embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the clamping arrangement <b>100</b> will firstly be described followed by embodiments of the trolley. Further embodiments of the trolley for use with internal and external tracks will then be described.

Clamping arrangement <b>100</b> can be used for clamping a power cable, hose or tubing of a lifting apparatus, such as, but not limited to gantry cranes, jib cranes, bridge cranes or overhead cranes. The clamping arrangement <b>100</b> can be used with electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic cabling or tubing having a substantially flat, circular or other cross sectional shape.

With additional reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, clamping arrangement <b>100</b> comprises a first clamp component <b>102</b> for engaging with and receiving the power cable or hose <b>104</b>. First clamp component <b>102</b> comprises a floor <b>106</b> and a pair of side walls <b>108</b>, <b>110</b> extending substantially perpendicularly upwardly from the floor <b>106</b>. An arm <b>112</b> extends upwardly at an angle from one of the side walls <b>108</b>. In some embodiments, arm <b>112</b> is angled at about 36 degrees to the vertical of side wall <b>108</b> from which it extends. However, other angles and lengths of arm <b>112</b> can be employed. Clamping arrangement <b>100</b> comprises a second clamp component in the form of a clamping foot <b>114</b> rotatably attachable to the arm <b>112</b> for clamping the power cable or hose <b>104</b> between a second engagement surface comprising an underside <b>132</b> of clamping foot <b>114</b> and a first engagement surface comprising the floor <b>106</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b>.

In preferred embodiments, floor <b>106</b> of first clamp component <b>102</b> is convex and in one embodiment has a radius of curvature of about 95 mm, although other radii of curvature can be used for larger or smaller first clamp components. In some embodiments, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, floor <b>106</b> of the first clamp component comprises a channel <b>116</b> as part of the first engagement surface that extends at least part way along the length of the floor <b>106</b> for receiving power cable or hose <b>104</b> at least partially therein. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2A</figref>, channel <b>116</b> has a substantially semi-circular cross section particularly suited for receiving part of a cable having a substantially circular cross section. However, it will be appreciated that such embodiments of the present invention can also clamp power cables or hoses of other cross-sectional shapes. It will also be appreciated that channel <b>116</b> can be omitted from floor <b>106</b>.

Each side wall <b>108</b>, <b>110</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b> comprises an inwardly extending flange <b>118</b> substantially perpendicular to side walls <b>108</b>, <b>110</b>. Flanges <b>118</b> extend at least partially along the length of side walls <b>108</b>, <b>110</b> and in the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2A</figref>, flanges <b>118</b> extend the full length of side walls <b>108</b>, <b>110</b>. At least an underside <b>120</b> of each flange <b>118</b> has a convex profile and in the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2A</figref>, an upper side <b>122</b> of each flange <b>118</b> has a convex profile.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, arm <b>112</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b> comprises a tab <b>124</b> at the end thereof which is substantially parallel with side walls <b>108</b>, <b>110</b>. Tab <b>124</b> comprises an aperture <b>126</b> located about a centerline of the tab for rotatably coupling clamping foot <b>114</b> thereto. A surface <b>128</b> of tab <b>124</b> comprises a plurality of radial grooves <b>130</b> extending from the location of aperture <b>126</b>. Grooves <b>130</b> are for engaging corresponding ridges of the clamping foot <b>114</b> as part of a locking mechanism as described in further detail hereinafter.

Another embodiment of first clamp component <b>102</b> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, which comprises many of the features of the first clamp component <b>102</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>. In this embodiment, an underside <b>123</b> of floor <b>106</b> comprises one or more recesses <b>125</b>, such that at least part of the convex floor <b>106</b> comprises hollow portions. Recesses <b>125</b> reduce the amount of material used for the first clamp component <b>102</b> and therefore the mass and cost. In this embodiment, convex floor <b>106</b> has a radius of curvature of about 80 mm, side walls <b>108</b>, <b>110</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b> are tapered and at least one of flanges <b>118</b> is substantially thicker than the previous embodiment, which is easier to produce.

With reference to the embodiments shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-5</figref>, second clamp component in the form of clamping foot <b>114</b> of the clamping arrangement <b>100</b> comprises a base <b>132</b> defining a second engagement surface comprising convex underside <b>132</b> of clamping foot <b>114</b>. An upper side <b>134</b> of the base comprises a concave profile of complimentary shape to the undersides <b>120</b> of the flanges <b>118</b> of the side walls <b>108</b>, <b>110</b> of first clamp component <b>102</b>. A center of curvature of the convex underside <b>132</b> of clamping foot <b>114</b> is is off-center with respect to a longitudinal axis of the clamping foot <b>114</b> such that the convex base is tapered from one side to the other. As shown in the side elevation in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, a thickness of the base increases from left to right. This feature assists in the clamping arrangement <b>100</b> being able to clamp a range of sizes and shapes of power cable, hose, tube or the like between the convex underside <b>132</b> of clamping foot <b>114</b> and floor <b>106</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b>.

According to some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, at least part of the convex underside <b>132</b> of the base of clamping foot <b>114</b> can comprise a channel <b>133</b> therein as part of the second engagement surface for receiving power cable, tube or hose <b>104</b> at least partially therein. In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, channel <b>133</b> extends the full length of convex underside <b>132</b>. Channel <b>133</b> in the base is substantially aligned with channel <b>116</b> in floor <b>106</b> of first clamp component <b>102</b> when channel <b>116</b> is provided.

Clamping foot <b>114</b> comprises a body portion <b>136</b> extending substantially perpendicularly from the base. Clamping foot <b>114</b> can comprise one or more webs <b>138</b> for additional strength. Clamping foot <b>114</b> comprises a barrel <b>140</b> having an aperture <b>142</b> therethrough. Aperture <b>142</b> is substantially coaxial with a central axis of barrel <b>140</b>, both of which are substantially perpendicular to body portion <b>136</b> of the clamping foot <b>114</b>.

Clamping foot <b>114</b> is rotatably attached to arm <b>112</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b> with a lockable fastener passing through aperture <b>142</b> in barrel <b>140</b> of the clamping foot and aperture <b>126</b> in arm <b>112</b>. Lockable fastener can comprise a bolt, one or more washers and a wing nut <b>144</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, although other fasteners can be used. In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, barrel <b>140</b> comprises a recess <b>135</b> for accommodating a hexagonal head of a bolt.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>, a surface <b>146</b> of barrel <b>140</b> comprises a plurality of ridges <b>148</b> extending radially from the location of aperture <b>142</b> in the barrel of the clamping foot <b>114</b>. The plurality of radial ridges <b>148</b> in the clamping foot <b>114</b> are engaged by or within the plurality of radial grooves <b>130</b> in tab <b>124</b> of arm <b>112</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b>, which aid locking clamping foot <b>114</b> to the first clamp component <b>102</b> in a plurality of relative positions.

In alternative embodiments, the grooves <b>130</b> can be provided on the surface <b>146</b> of barrel <b>140</b> of clamping foot <b>114</b> and the ridges <b>148</b> can be provided on the arm <b>112</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b> to achieve the same locking effect. In other alternative embodiments, the grooves and ridges can be arranged in different shapes, such as a semi-circular pattern and/or the grooves and ridges can be of different shapes.

Clamping foot <b>114</b> also comprises a bearing <b>150</b> at an opposite end to the base for pivotally suspending the clamping arrangement <b>100</b> comprising first clamp component <b>102</b> and clamping foot <b>114</b> from trolley <b>200</b>. Bearing <b>150</b> is provided at the end of an elongate member <b>152</b> protruding from barrel <b>140</b> of the clamping foot <b>114</b>. Bearing <b>150</b> comprises a substantially hemispherical portion <b>154</b> to provide smooth pivoting in the trolley <b>200</b> and to minimize jamming during movement of the trolley <b>200</b>.

In accordance with another form of the present invention, trolley <b>200</b> for a power cable, hose, tubing or the like of a lifting apparatus is provided. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, trolley <b>200</b> can be used with the clamping arrangement <b>100</b> described herein, but the trolley <b>200</b> is not limited to use therewith and can be used with other clamping arrangements or hangers. As shown in the embodiment in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, trolley <b>200</b> comprises a body <b>202</b>, a removable plate <b>204</b> mountable to the body and at least one wheel or roller <b>206</b> rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the body <b>202</b>. Each of these features will now be described in more detail with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6-8</figref>

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, body <b>202</b> of the trolley <b>200</b> comprises a substantially hemispherical or bowl-shaped seat <b>208</b> for pivotally accommodating a bearing of a clamping arrangement. Seat <b>208</b> is particularly suited to accommodating bearing <b>150</b> of the clamping arrangement <b>100</b> described above for clamping the power cable or hose <b>104</b> of the lifting apparatus. Body <b>202</b> comprises a slot <b>210</b> to enable placement and removal of the bearing <b>150</b> on the seat <b>208</b>. Slot <b>210</b> allows elongate member <b>152</b> of clamping foot <b>114</b> to pass therethrough and aperture <b>212</b> at the base of seat <b>208</b> allows elongate member <b>152</b> to protrude therethrough when bearing <b>150</b> is accommodated within seat <b>208</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

In this embodiment, body <b>202</b> comprises a wall <b>214</b> extending substantially perpendicularly from the body. Wall <b>214</b> comprises an aperture <b>216</b> for receiving a fastener therethrough for rotatably mounting at least one wheel or roller directly or indirectly to the body <b>202</b>.

In this embodiment body <b>202</b> also comprises a channel <b>218</b> for receiving a removable plate <b>220</b>, shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, which is mountable to the body <b>202</b>. Channel <b>218</b> is curved and is interrupted by slot <b>210</b>. Adjacent channel <b>218</b> is a recess <b>222</b> substantially perpendicular to channel <b>218</b> for receiving one or more projections <b>224</b> of removable plate <b>220</b>. Wall <b>214</b> has a substantially circular shape and comprises a curved flange <b>226</b> extending substantially perpendicularly from the wall <b>214</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, removable plate <b>220</b> comprises a wall <b>228</b> having an aperture <b>230</b> therethrough and a base portion <b>232</b>. Base portion <b>232</b> comprises projections <b>224</b> for engagement with recess <b>222</b> of body <b>202</b> of the trolley <b>200</b>. Wall <b>228</b> has a substantially circular shape and comprises a double flange arrangement <b>234</b> extending substantially perpendicularly from the wall <b>228</b>. Double flange arrangement <b>234</b> is curved and shaped to receive curved flange <b>226</b> of body <b>202</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows body <b>202</b> and removable plate <b>220</b> coupled together with a guide wheel <b>236</b> held therebetween. Projections <b>224</b> engage with recess <b>222</b> of body <b>202</b> and base portion <b>232</b> is received within channel <b>218</b>. A fastener passes through aperture <b>230</b> in the plate <b>220</b>, an aperture in the guide wheel <b>236</b> and aperture <b>216</b> in the body <b>202</b>. Double flange arrangement <b>234</b> of the plate <b>220</b> receives curved flange <b>226</b> of body <b>202</b>. A wing nut <b>238</b> couples to the fastener to secure the body <b>202</b>, plate <b>220</b> and guide wheel <b>236</b> together. The fastener can be in the form of a bolt comprising a straight pin upon which the guide wheel <b>236</b> freely rotates between the body <b>202</b> and plate <b>220</b>. A steel washer and helical spring can also be added before affixing the wing nut <b>238</b>. However, it will be appreciated that other fastener arrangements can be employed. In this embodiment, guide wheel <b>236</b> comprises a groove for running along a cable or wire. Hence, trolley <b>200</b> is particularly suited to a cable or wire catenary power supply system.

In use, as exemplified by the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> and referring back to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 8</figref>, trolley <b>200</b> is attached to a catenary cable by slackening wing nut <b>238</b> and slewing removable plate <b>220</b> away from body <b>202</b> to create a gap through which the catenary cable can pass. Wing nut <b>238</b> is then tightened to secure removable plate <b>220</b> to body <b>202</b> of trolley <b>200</b>. Neither wing nut <b>238</b> nor removable plate <b>220</b> needs to be removed completely, thus avoiding separate parts that can be dropped during fitting. A cable or hose <b>104</b> is secured to clamping arrangement <b>100</b> by slackening wing nut <b>144</b> and swinging clamping foot <b>114</b> away from first clamp component <b>102</b> about the fastener passing through aperture <b>142</b> of barrel <b>140</b> and tab <b>124</b> of first clamp component <b>102</b>. Clamping foot <b>114</b> is swung away in the direction of the thicker side of the convex base <b>132</b>. Cable or hose <b>104</b> is placed on floor <b>106</b> of first clamp component <b>102</b> and wedged between the floor <b>106</b> and convex base <b>132</b> as the clamping foot <b>114</b> is swung back in the direction of the thinner side of the convex base <b>132</b>. Ridges <b>148</b> engaging with grooves <b>130</b> between the surface <b>146</b> of the barrel <b>142</b> of the clamping foot <b>114</b> and the surface <b>128</b> of tab <b>124</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b> serve to lock the clamping foot <b>114</b> in position in the first clamp component <b>102</b> with the cable or hose <b>104</b> securely held in position as wing nut <b>144</b> is tightened. In this embodiment there are no parts to drop or misplace during clamping of the cable or hose <b>104</b>.

Another embodiment of the trolley is shown <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, which is for use as an external trolley. The trolley <b>300</b> comprises a pair of threads <b>302</b> on an axle that incorporates body <b>202</b>. In some embodiments, a web (not shown) joins the mounting elements to body <b>202</b>. Body <b>202</b> is substantially similar to body <b>202</b> described above in that body <b>202</b> comprises seat <b>208</b> for pivotally accommodating bearing <b>150</b> of a clamping foot <b>114</b> of a clamping arrangement as described herein and a slot <b>210</b> to enable placement and removal of the bearing <b>150</b> on the seat <b>208</b>.

A plate <b>304</b> is mounted at respective ends of each of the threaded rods or axles <b>302</b>, for example via an aperture <b>305</b> comprising an internal thread. One or more wheels or rollers <b>306</b> are rotatably mounted to each plate <b>304</b> for running along the outside of a solid beam or column, such as a universal beam or column. In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, a pair of rollers <b>306</b> is rotatably mounted to each plate <b>304</b>. This arrangement is particularly suited for running along an I-beam for a top-running trolley or an underslung trolley.

Positions of the plates along the length of the threaded rods or axles <b>302</b> are adjustable such that the trolley <b>300</b> can be adapted for use with different sizes and shapes of beams and columns. One of the threaded rods or axles <b>302</b> has a right-handed thread and one has a left-handed thread. Alternatively, different length threaded rods or axles <b>302</b> can be attached to body <b>202</b> according to the application.

With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10 and 11</figref>, according to other embodiments, trolley <b>400</b> is for use as an internal trolley. Although omitted from the view in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> for the sake of clarity, a plurality of wheels or rollers, such as rollers <b>306</b> described above, is rotatably mounted to the body <b>202</b> for running along the inside of a hollow track. In the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, body <b>202</b> comprises seat <b>208</b> for pivotally accommodating bearing <b>150</b> of a clamping foot <b>114</b> of a clamping arrangement as described herein and a slot <b>210</b> to enable placement and removal of the bearing <b>150</b> on the seat <b>208</b>. Body <b>202</b> comprises support <b>402</b> extending upwardly from body <b>202</b> to which wheels or rollers are rotatably mounted by any suitable means. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows an embodiment in which support <b>402</b> comprises two apertures <b>404</b> for mounting two rollers on both sides of the support, thus totalling four rollers. Support <b>402</b> is shaped, and apertures <b>404</b> are positioned, such that wheels or rollers <b>306</b> are mounted centrally above seat <b>208</b> and evenly distributed for balance purposes. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> particularly illustrates this showing the central positioning of the support <b>402</b> over aperture <b>212</b> at the base of seat <b>208</b>.

With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12A and 12B</figref>, according to other embodiments, first clamp component <b>102</b> comprises two hinged parts <b>102</b>A, <b>102</b>B, which are shown separately in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12A and 12B</figref>. Parts <b>102</b>A, <b>102</b>B are hinged via a pin (not shown) passing through hinge portions <b>156</b>, <b>158</b>, although an alternative hinge mechanism could be used. Each part <b>102</b>A, <b>102</b>B comprises a respective part <b>106</b>A, <b>106</b>B of the floor <b>106</b> of the first clamp component <b>102</b>. Side walls <b>108</b>, <b>110</b> comprise respective curved internal walls <b>108</b>A, <b>110</b>B which form a curved surface, which is particularly suited for receiving a vacuum hose of a lifting apparatus. In alternative embodiments, first clamp component <b>102</b> for receiving a vacuum hose is a one-piece component with no hinge.

Each part <b>102</b>A, <b>102</b>B comprises an arm <b>112</b>A, <b>112</b>B extending from a respective side wall <b>108</b>, <b>110</b> and each arm <b>112</b>A, <b>112</b>B comprises a respective tab <b>124</b>A, <b>124</b>B. Surface <b>128</b> of tab <b>124</b>A comprises grooves <b>130</b> for engaging ridges of clamping foot <b>114</b> as described above. Clamping foot <b>114</b> as described herein is rotatably attachable to the arms <b>112</b>A, <b>112</b>B for clamping the vacuum hose against the curved floor <b>106</b> and curved internal side walls <b>108</b>A, <b>110</b>B of the first clamp component. Hence, both sides of first clamp component <b>102</b> are securely attached to clamping foot <b>114</b>.

Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13A and 13B</figref>, an alternative first clamp component <b>102</b> and second clamp component <b>114</b> are shown in comparison to the embodiment described above with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4</figref>. The difference is that the elongated member <b>152</b> and bearing <b>150</b> comprising the trolley attachment component are located on the first clamp component rather than on the second clamp component. It has been found in development that for the shapes shown here, this alternative variation allows the clamped cable to hang from the trolley in the same orientation regardless of the pivoting position of the clamping foot <b>114</b> a better pivoting effect for cables.

Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, a similar variation is pictured in relation to the embodiment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, where the first clamp component is the composite hinged entity <b>102</b>A and <b>102</b>B, and the variation of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> comprises the trolley attachment component being on <b>102</b>A.

Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> a removable snap on fitting <b>500</b> is pictured for attachment to the underside of the second clamp component in the form of clamping foot <b>114</b> so as to move the second engagement surface closer to the first engagement surface <b>102</b> adapting the system to clamp a smaller sized power cable, hose or tube when the snap on fitting is attached. The snap on fitting has four attachment lugs <b>502</b>, <b>504</b>, <b>506</b> and <b>508</b> of which all but one (<b>508</b>) comprise projections for securing the snap on fitting. The fitting has an upper surface <b>510</b> mating with the convex underside <b>132</b> of the clamping foot <b>114</b>, and the wall <b>512</b> matches the thick end of the tapering base, whereby convex underside <b>132</b> of the clamping foot <b>114</b> which previously provided the second engagement surface is covered by the snap on fitting <b>500</b> and underside <b>520</b> of the snap on fitting now provides the second engagement surface.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 16A and 16B</figref>, two opposing views are shown of another embodiment realizing the invention with a different arrangement of first and second clamp components, particularly suited to clamping round electrical cable of various sizes with the one unit. The first and second clamp components are pivotally attached about axis A through the fastener arrangement <b>602</b> previously described, but in this case the first clamp component does not comprise a floor, but rather is disposed on one side and the second clamp component is disposed on the other side. The first clamp component comprises first engagement surfaces <b>630</b> which are tapering away from a relatively broad wall <b>640</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16A</figref> to a relatively narrow surface wall <b>642</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16B</figref>. The first clamp component also comprises an arcuate channel <b>606</b> with the center of curvature at the axis A and the second clamp component comprises a corresponding arcuate surface <b>610</b> with a projection <b>604</b> engaging with the channel. The second clamp component also comprises second engagement surface <b>620</b> which is shaped to cooperate with the first engagement surface <b>630</b> according to the invention. In both diagrams, a void <b>650</b> can be seen from both directions showing where the cable passes to be clamped by rotation and fastening as previously described, such that irrespective of diameter the cable is clamped centrally below the bearing <b>150</b>.

Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C</figref>, trolley <b>700</b> is adapted to sliding on a slot-shaped track <b>720</b> and is generally T-shaped such that arms <b>704</b> of the T-shape slide on either side of the slot-shaped track <b>720</b> and a trunk <b>706</b> of the T-shape projects downwards through the slot, and the arms <b>704</b> are held in perpendicular relation to the slot by one or more removable locking pieces <b>710</b> that lock into the trunk and extend upwards with a body <b>712</b> into the slot-shaped track <b>720</b>, whereby when the locking pieces <b>710</b> are removed the trolley may be rotated to a parallel orientation with respect to the slot of the track and removed from the track. In this embodiment two of the locking pieces <b>710</b> are inserted into either side of aperture <b>708</b> on the trunk <b>706</b> and lock together on the trunk by cooperating serrated projections <b>714</b>. The serrated projections <b>714</b> have a slightly curved shape which enables them to fit together in interlocking fashion inside the slot <b>708</b>.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that the second clamp component such as clamping foot <b>114</b> may be rotatably attachable to the different embodiments of first clamp components <b>102</b> described herein in a similar manner. It will also be appreciated that different embodiments of the first engagement surface <b>102</b> may be interchangeable with different embodiments of the second engagement surface and the second engagement surface is interchangeable with different trolleys <b>200</b>, <b>300</b>, <b>400</b> described herein. Hence, another aspect of the present invention is a system comprising the first clamp components <b>102</b>, clamping foot <b>114</b> and trolleys <b>200</b>, <b>300</b>, <b>400</b> described herein.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Further, any method steps recited in the claims are not necessarily intended to be performed temporally in the sequence written, or to be performed without pause once started, unless the context requires it.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.